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July 26, 2007
DreamaParaConAmount
There was little new or news to chew on at the Paramount event at ComicCon.
But before they got started was the "hello" from the ComicCon staff. And with that came some new rules. As has been noted before, we are now in the error/era of the PG-13 ComicCon. But they have also decided to censor the question and answer process, pointing out that on top of vetting your questions and expecting you to stick to the script, they expect the audience to be completely respectful of the talent “so they’ll keep coming back.” Again… a ComicCon disaster. Some of the best moments in years past have been the rude, horny, or stupid questions and the great or lame responses. If you can’t confront the stars “so they will come back,” within reason, what is the point of them coming at all?
ComicCon is not the place for me. It is not my vibe. These are not, for the most part, my obsessions. But the people for whom this is Nirvana should be allowed all the room in the world. Those stars work for this crowd (even if the estimates of how much box office they generate have been way overstated this week in the media), not the other way around.
But we digress…
They loved them some Andy Samberg... but strained to laugh at some of his jokes. They were thrilled by Neil Gaiman twice (Stardust- corrected, Fri, 2:25a - and Beowulf). Likewise, they were thrilled by JJ Abrams twice (Untitled Monster Movie and Star Trek). And of course, they were thrilled by Spielberg & Co. from the set of Indiana Jones 4. (The joke was that he said the name but it was bleeped out of the live feed... ha ha. JJ also made a point of saying he wasn't giving up is title.)
The "news" on Indiana Jones was Marion Ravenwood/Karen Allen joining the group at the end of the presentation... ah, mom. Ray Winstone (also Beowulf) was described as Indy's "sidekick."
And on Star Trek, the "news" was that there would be an old/young storyline that would include presumably final appearances by Shatner and Nimoy. Nimoy appeared in San Diego with his young "replacement," who really looks a lot like him. Whether other older Trek performers will be in the film is unclear. Let's just hope Spock & Kirk aren't out camping when they get a distress signal.
The screenplay by Orci & Kurtzman (they were on the panel) was praised a few times during the presentation. And if it turns out to be their first feature script that doesn't make me feel the need to question whether the development execs were stoned while greenlighting their screenplay, I will be thrilled and happy to praise them too.
The only appearance from Sweeney Todd was a teaser poster, which is (in a poor transfer) here...
They showed the already shown Abrams trailer... huge applause. (JJ did acknowledge that it was a giant monster attacks NY film.) No Indy footage, no Sweeney footage, no Star Trek casting news other than noted...
Oh yeah!
Iron Man.
They held fire a bit, with a Saturday panel coming. But Favreau did a bit where he taped something from L.A. and showed partially done CG... which of course was an old, horrible Iron Man cartoon. Then he came out. He seems to have lost 30 pounds or more, completely changing his face and body shape. And he showed some footage... lead up to Stark getting injured... explanation of the heart box on his chest (which I didn't really think was great)... the first suit... and a tag at the end with the new suit flying, 100% CG.
Looked okay to me.... not overwhelming. I love Iron Man. He was always my favorite character, since he reminded me of my dad, if my dad was going to be a superhero. From the footage they showed, I wonder whether I will like the tone of the piece. I'm not real thrilled with Tony Stark finding God, though drying out is ok, becoming a helper instead of a greedy pig... not so much. But we'll see. As usual, it's not the effects that I care about, it's the character. And the footage of Downey being loosey goosey wasn't getting me.
Okay... that's all for now from the shocking visit to ComicCon. About six times an hour, I run into someone I know saying, "I thought you hated ComicCon! I thought it jumped the shark!"
The floor was overcrowded and slightly irritating this morning. By this afternoon, it was hell. There are fewer people dressed up and more noise than ever. But I will say, the studio stuff is less obnoxious and less dominant on the floor. So maybe a natural correction is underway.
My favorite moment was when a girl in a Princess Leia bikini costume... without the bikini bottoms... sauntered by and a studio pub who is gay got a panicked look in his face after coming eyeball to labia with the young lady's undercarriage. I guess this event really is for kids... ones exiting the birth canal or being conceived.
Posted by poland at July 26, 2007 06:10 PM
Comments
"My favorite moment was when a girl in a Princess Leia bikini costume... without the bikini bottoms... sauntered by"
Could've been my favorite moment too, if, maybe, you took a second and YOU TOOK A FREAKING PICTURE! COME ON DAVID! Was she ugly or something? Just tell me she was fruggly, tell me she was fat and nowhere near the legitimate-but-usually-condescending description "voluptuous". Just lie, alright!? Erase this fantasy image from my mind...
Posted by: Hallick ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.mcnblogs.com/thehotblog/nav-commenters.gif)
at July 26, 2007 07:18 PM
You really can't throw around a word like labia and not cough up some graphic aids. We should at least see Mr. Gay's reaction shot.
Totally unprofessional, Dave.
Posted by: lazarus at July 26, 2007 07:36 PM
Mr. Gay? As in "Go away, Mr. Gay!" He was there? Awesome.
But seriously, if the fangirls are going around bottomless, perhaps a minor dress code (like No Pants, No Autographs) is in order.
Posted by: jeffmcm at July 26, 2007 07:45 PM
Miami Heat said; "As usual, it's not the effects that I care about, it's the character." Yep. Totally missing the mark on these films, but you are who you are. Should it not be an amalgam? I do agree with the Iron-Man love. I also agree with a less then serious Iron-Man tone for this film because the CIVIL WAR has shown; DICKY TONY STARK IS BALLS. Give me an Iron-Man who still has some spirit and some soul.
Posted by: IOIOIOI at July 26, 2007 09:03 PM
Neil Gaiman was there for STARDUST and BEOWULF, David, not THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES.
Posted by: Drew at July 26, 2007 10:52 PM
Sorry Drew... brain damage...
Posted by: David Poland at July 27, 2007 02:18 AM
One of these days I'll get around to putting that old green leather jacket Neil Gaiman sold to me for ten quid in 1986 on EBay. Nice to see such a nice bloke doing so well.
Posted by: Ian Sinclair at July 27, 2007 06:27 AM
Laz- the term "graphic aids" really cleansed my mental palette from the Princess leia with no bikini bottoms visual. Nice going.
I went to Comic-Con about 4 years ago and it was amazing. I used to be a BIG comic collector and being there really brings you back to a feeling of youth. However, it's also insanely crazy and my buddy Mark from FT lobbies every eyar to call it "Geeks-Waiting-in-lines-Con." It's like one big frigging line all day for these movie sneak peeks.
Posted by: PetalumaFilms at July 27, 2007 06:49 AM
Yes, more details Dave.
Was it like "Are you wearing bottoms" from Norbit?
Or someone "forgetting" their panties ala LiLo?
Posted by: doug r at July 27, 2007 07:08 AM
That Sweeney Todd poster did more for me than the entire Beowulf trailer. Great teaser poster. Can't wait to see some footage.
Posted by: montrealkid at July 27, 2007 09:23 AM
Yes; that Sweeney Todd poster kicks ass eight different ways.
Posted by: IOIOIOI at July 27, 2007 09:55 AM
Ummm, wasn't Shatner-as-Kirk killed off about four movies ago?
Posted by: Dr Wally at July 27, 2007 11:07 AM
I love that Sweeney Todd poster too. I hope this is Tim Burton's comeback. I've found him a little stale for awhile.
Posted by: The Big Perm at July 27, 2007 12:05 PM
"Ummm, wasn't Shatner-as-Kirk killed off about four movies ago?"
Yes but come on all they have to do is recalibrate the warp field generators to induce a subspace rift then boost the transporter signal to lock on to him then beaming him into a new patter stored in the pattern buffer and there you have it.
*sound of crickets*
Um, okay then they could just pretend the events of Star Trek Generations ever happened. I know I did.
Posted by: teambanzai at July 27, 2007 03:05 PM
by god, that just might work!
Posted by: hendhogan at July 27, 2007 04:24 PM
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